This time last year the last thing Kieran Strachan thought he'd be doing in 2019 was playing as a key forward in the SANFL in an Adelaide Crows jumper.
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It's been a whirlwind 12 months for Strachan, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
After starting 2018 in the BFNL with South Bendigo, Stratchan played in the VFL with Essendon and Port Melbourne where he caught the eye of the Crows recruiting staff.
The Crows selected Strachan in the rookie draft and he packed his bags and moved to Adelaide.
Strachan, who celebrates his 24th birthday in October, has relished the opportunity to live and breathe football seven days a week.
"I love being involved in football full-time. It's a dream job,'' Strachan said.
"I'm trying to make the most of my opportunities. I'm doing as much as I can to learn.
"Being in the AFL system you realise that there's still so much to learn about footy.
"It's taxing on the body, but with the amount of staff and equipment we have here you're well monitored and they make sure you're at your physical peak.
"It's been great to be involved and I've loved every minute of it."
His first task with the Crows was to learn a new position.
With Sam Jacobs, Riley O'Brien and Paul Hunter all ahead of him in Adelaide's ruck pecking order, Strachan has spent most of his first season in the Crows' SANFL side a a key forward.
His best performance came in round 10 when he kicked three goals and pulled down eight marks in a nine-goal win over Central District.
"I've been in the ruck the past two weeks and that's been good to be back around the ball and getting my hands on the footy a bit more,'' Strachan said.
"Playing forward in the first half of the year was beneficial long-term as far as learning how to be a ruck-forward.
"I wasn't really doing any ruck work there for a while because we had Sam Jacobs back in the side. I was playing as a key forward and learning about leading patterns and that sort of stuff.
"With Sam (Jacobs) and Riley (O'Brien) playing in the AFL and Paul Hunter injured, I've had the chance to be the number one ruckman the last two weeks.
"I've really enjoyed it and I've seen some improvement. My form has been better in the second half of the season."
Strachan said the extra training and increased access to coaching staff has seen his game improve significantly.
"My basic skills and ball-handling have improved, for sure,'' Strachan said.
"The coaches have helped me with my ability to read the game and to get into the right position to win the footy."
Strachan said the experience of playing in the SANFL had also helped his football.
"I see the VFL as an under-23 competition that is relatively young and a quick style of footy,'' Strachan said.
"SANFL has bigger bodies and there's guys with more experience running around.
"They're both strong competitions, but it's hard to compare the two."
The Crows have locked away the double-chance for the upcoming SANFL finals.
Strachan is hoping a solid SANFL finals series will help him earn another contract with the Crows in 2020.
"We're working through things (with the club) at the moment,'' Strachan said.
"All I want to focus on is playing good footy and make sure I'm improving. If I'm showing promise then I'm sure the club will show faith in me."
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